Questions? Straight answers.
Everything first-time buyers ask us most — in plain English. Don’t see yours? Take the quiz and ask your coach anything.
Getting started
What is HomeStart Club?
We’re a homebuying coaching membership built for first-time buyers in Dallas–Fort Worth. You get a personal coach who guides you from “someday” all the way to keys in hand and assists you through every step of the purchase. When you’re ready to buy, the real estate transaction is handled by Homestart Brokerage, LLC. And if you’re not quite ready for a mortgage, our rent-to-own path can help bridge the gap.
What does it cost to join?
Becoming a member and getting your personalized plan is free — no credit card. If you buy a home through Homestart Brokerage, LLC, the brokerage earns a commission on the transaction, and that’s disclosed in writing before you commit to anything. There are no surprise fees.
Do I have to be ready to buy right now?
Not at all. We help buyers who are ready to shop today, and we help buyers who are planning to purchase sometime over the next three years. Wherever you fall on that timeline, your coach builds a plan and helps you move at a pace that fits your life.
How do I get started?
Take the quick readiness quiz or reach out to us directly. A coach will follow up with a free, honest read on where you stand and what your best next step is — no pressure, no obligation.
How long does it take to buy a house?
Once you’re pre-approved and have an accepted offer, closing typically takes about 30–45 days. The full journey — getting your credit, savings, and paperwork ready — can take a few weeks or a couple of years depending on your starting point. Your personalized plan maps the timeline for your situation, and your coach helps you shorten it. Here’s the whole process, step by step.
Money & credit
How much down payment do I need to buy a house in Texas?
Usually less than the 20% people assume. Many first-time buyers put down 3–5%, and some programs allow even less. Your coach helps you find the smallest realistic number for your situation, plus any assistance that can help you get there. The true cost of buying a home breaks down where the money actually goes.
What credit score do I need to buy a house?
There’s no single magic number, but many first-time-buyer options start in the low 600s. If you’re not there yet, we build a step-by-step plan to strengthen your credit — try the credit score simulator to see which moves matter most, and read how credit scores affect home buying. Our rent-to-own path exists specifically for buyers who need a little runway to qualify.
What is down payment assistance, and do I qualify?
Down payment assistance (DPA) includes grants, forgivable loans, and low-interest programs that help cover your down payment and closing costs. Texas has several, and many buyers qualify without realizing it. Your coach helps you find every program you’re eligible for.
Can I still buy a home if I have debt — student loans, a car payment, credit cards?
Often, yes. Lenders look at your whole financial picture, not just whether you carry debt. What matters most is your debt-to-income ratio, and your coach helps you understand it and, where needed, improve it before you apply.
What are closing costs?
Closing costs are the fees to finalize your purchase — things like title, appraisal, taxes, and lender charges — usually a few percent of the price. We estimate yours early so there are no surprises, and we look for ways to reduce or offset them. See the true cost of buying a home for a full breakdown.
What’s the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?
Pre-qualified is a quick, informal estimate of what you might borrow. Pre-approved means a lender has actually verified your information and is ready to back your offer. Sellers take pre-approved buyers far more seriously, so we help you get all the way there.
How much house can I afford?
A useful rule of thumb is to keep your total monthly housing payment near a third of your gross monthly income — but the honest answer depends on your income, debts, and savings together. Our free readiness quiz runs your real numbers and shows you a realistic range in about two minutes.
Rent-to-own & your path
What if I don’t think I can afford to buy?
You may be closer than you think. Between down payment assistance, realistic down payments, and our rent-to-own path, our coaches specialize in finding a path most people assume isn’t there. The first step is simply looking at your real numbers together — start with the quiz.
How does the rent-to-own path work?
In short: you choose the home and move in now as a resident, while we help you get qualified to buy it on an agreed timeline. It’s designed for buyers who want to live in their future home today while they get mortgage-ready. Your coach will walk you through the details and whether it fits your situation.
Is rent-to-own a good idea?
It can be — when the terms are clear and the program is built to get you to ownership, not to keep you renting. A good rent-to-own agreement has a defined purchase timeline, transparent pricing in writing, and real support getting you mortgage-ready. A bad one has vague terms and fees that don’t build toward anything. We’ll give you a straight answer about whether it fits your situation — including when it doesn’t.
My credit isn’t great — can you still help?
Yes. A lower score is a starting point, not a stop sign. We’ll build a clear, step-by-step plan to strengthen your file — see which moves your score most — and our rent-to-own path is built for exactly this: buyers who need some time to reach approval while still moving forward toward a home.
Working with us
How is this different from just hiring a real estate agent?
An agent helps you shop for a house. A HomeStart coach guides the entire journey — credit, assistance programs, the rent-to-own option, the offer, and the close — and assists you all the way, with the real estate transaction handled by Homestart Brokerage, LLC. You get a strategy and an advocate, not just a door-opener.
Do you provide the mortgage? Are you a lender?
No — we’re not a lender. We coach you through the financing process and connect you with vetted, buyer-friendly lenders. If a lender isn’t the right fit for you, we’ll help you find a better one. Our job is to stay on your side.
Can I buy a home with a co-buyer — a partner, friend, or family member?
Yes. Buying with someone can stretch your budget and split the costs. Your coach will walk you and your co-buyer through how it works, what to line up ahead of time, and how to protect everyone involved.
What if I’ve owned a home before — can I still join?
Absolutely. We specialize in first-time buyers, but experienced buyers are welcome too. And many “first-time buyer” programs still apply even if you’ve owned before, as long as you haven’t owned a home in the last three years.
Where does HomeStart Club work?
We focus on the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) market. Not sure whether we cover your area? Just ask and we’ll tell you straight.
Ready to see where you stand?
Two minutes, free, and a coach follows up with an honest read — no pressure.
Build my plan →The information on this page is educational and general — not financial, legal, or tax advice, and not an offer of credit or a commitment to lend. HomeStart is not a mortgage lender. Programs and requirements change and vary by lender; your coach and licensed professionals help confirm what applies to you.